THE PASTOR AND PROFESSIONALISM
Introduction
Today’s church is in great need of men of God that do not seek professionalism. That is in the since of careers, career enhancements, and trying to plan out the will of God. What we need is pastor’s that are professional in their behavior and seek to stand for the truth of God. So, his gospel may be proclaimed, and his sheep be taken care of all for the glory of God alone. Therefore, this article seeks to warn those in the pastorate of the codes, and the professional career mindset to be professionals of behavior, and a model of the truth for the sake of the church, not worldly gain.
The Code
First, there is nothing wrong with having codes for ministers in the name of professionalism if it is with the purpose of having godly behavior; consequentially, holding them to a high standard of righteousness before God and others. For instance, make sufficient time to study, manage family life well, exhort the truth well, and pay bills. There is nothing wrong with these kinds of codes. However, much of the codes that ministers set for themselves are conspicuous and omit such things like church discipline. Also, they are self serving because some members write them for themselves.
Therefore, the pastor of God’s flock must exercise professional behavior, but he must not be muzzled in the name of cordiality. If so, he will not fulfill the mandate set forth by the apostle Paul, “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” (2 Tim. 4:2 ESV) If he does he may have popularity with those that have itching ears, but he will not be the man of God. (Armstrong, 2001, 43-48)
The Professional Career
Secondly, the pastor of God’s church must guard himself with the temptation to be career minded. Because there is no place in the bible that one can find out how to plan a career, and how to have career enhancement, so he would do well to abstain from trying to plan out the will of God. Paul did say that he had finished the race; however, the fact remains he did not know what the race entailed when he began running. The problem with career planning in ministry is that as Armstrong puts it, “you anticipate a long progression through assignments.” He goes on to say that the problem with this is that it may “interfere with the call to die.”(Armstrong, 2001, 52)
Another problem is that if you stand on the truth of God’s word at all cost then you may be faced with the loss of your job. This will not look well for the minister who is only concerned about career enhancement. Therefore, the man of God should be faithful, and trust God to protect him and let that be the motto for his career. Armstrong agrees, and puts it all in perspective this way:
When you take your eyes off the high calling and the pleasure of God and turn it into the professional affairs of men, however nobly expressed, you run the danger of substituting earthly agendas for heavenly things. When you set your heart on pleasing God, good professional things will follow. You will want to avoid, in Baxter’s words, “an undervaluing of unity and peace,” “want of serious, industrious, unreserved laying out of ourselves in the work of God: discovered by negligent studies, e.g., church discipline,” and “giving into the power of worldly, carnal interest, manifested by temporizing, worldly business, and bareness in works of charity.” Of course, it does not follow that by doing hard work, framing interesting sermons, and stirring ourselves to acts of charity, we will either please God or insulate ourselves from self-regarding professional pride. But first things first, and professionalism is not first. (Armstrong, 2001, 50-51)
Therefore, the fact remains that we cannot plan the will of God. Sure, we can prepare by going and getting a biblical education or mentorship somewhere, but we must be willing to follow the Lord where he leads and be ready when he may change the direction. We can’t plan out God’s will but we can “discover it rather than chart it.” We must remember that God is much better at planning our career than we are, and if we do not submit to his will then the kingdom is robbed and we will injure ourselves. (Armstrong, 2001, 53-54)
The Model
Lastly, the pastor of God’s flock will seek to be a model of standing for the glory of God. We would do well to remember the giants before us who have died for the gospel. People like the prophets in the Old Testament, apostles, missionaries, and preachers from centuries past. They gave their lives for the glory of God and the advancement of God’s kingdom here on earth, not for climbing up the latter like a CEO of a major corporation. Sadly, there are to many pastor’s more worried about where to join and play golf, 401k, and retirement. Rather than giving their life for the gospel.
Therefore, the bible is clear that Jesus taught he came to give his life as a ransom for the sheep. (John 10:11) If Jesus loves the sheep so much that he is willing to give his life for them. How much more should the shepherd of God be willing? This will be impossible if all he is worried about is a career. It is the shepherd’s duty to guard, watch, protect, and feed the sheep, not impress others for worldly gain. We must not get professional behavior mixed up with professionalizing a career because not only is the witness of the Christian life to the world at stake, but also the gospel for the glory of God. What we need are men of God who are more concerned for the truth of God’s word than professional careers in the pulpit! (Armstrong, 2001, 54-56)
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